At curtain close,
the applause fades,
the lights dim
and shadows reclaim the stage.

A painted smile drops,
no longer a character,
just a person wearing a costume
reality knocks with every layer shed.

You're just an actor,
on this stage of li(v)es
playing a script,
bending illusion as truth.

At curtain close,
a delusion ends and
life begins.

But following directions
is easier
than the burden of will.